Evaluation of children’s fitness levels across the first year of primary school
Authors
Heneghan, ClaireAdvisors
Fallows, StephenPublication Date
2013-08
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Show full item recordAbstract
Childhood obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in recent times. Childhood (5-12 years) is a key period in the primary prevention of obesity and supplementary conditions linked with a sedentary lifestyle. This paper discusses the importance of physical fitness and activity in children and highlights the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity recommendations are discussed and research on the activity levels of Irish children is examined. Schools are seen as one of the core agents for the delivery of interventions to combat the obesity epidemic in children. A review of the literature is discussed on fitness and physical activity promotion strategies researched in the school environment. School break-time is highlighted as a fundamental element in the promotion of school-based physical activity and fitness. Break-time strategies and interventions are reviewed. A gap in the literature is exposed on the lack of research investigating the ability of more permanent playground changes to influence physical activity and particularly fitness levels in children during break-time, highlighting the need of further research.Publisher
University of ChesterType
Thesis or dissertationLanguage
enCollections
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